As we close out 2013 and plan for 2014, we have a lot to think about. Maven is creating a strong push to encourage Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) in 2014. Some of you have already implemented RCM. Many others are thinking about it. For those who are newer to the concept, here is a brief overview:
“Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is a process to ensure that assets continue to do what their users require in their present operating context. It is generally used to achieve improvements in fields such as the establishment of safe minimum levels of maintenance, changes to operating procedures and strategies and the establishment of capital maintenance regimes and plans. Successful implementation of RCM will lead to increase in cost effectiveness, machine uptime, and a greater understanding of the level of risk that the organization is managing.”– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliability_centered_maintenance
RCM is a process that maximizes the useful life and uptime of your equipment. It is a tool for skilled maintenance managers to help them ensure that maintenance is performed in the correct way, at the correct time, by the correct people. RCM begins as a fairly simple concept, but the details can become much more complex, depending on the degree to which it is implemented. We highly recommend that each of our clients and colleagues read more on this topic and determine where RCM might fit into your 2014 maintenance goals.
Maven has published a few introductory articles on this topic. If you would like to delve deeper into RCM, a wealth of information is available from the Society of Maintenance and Reliability Professionals.
